10.0 Structural Design

10.0 Structural Design

A custom window of a common Malay house are designed with sloping wooden panels that can be adjusted for ventilation.

Incorporated traditional wooden house principals related design in contemporary architecture such as shading and ventilation, qualities present in the basic characteristics of the house. Although Malay house has a diversity of styles in each country, region and sub-ethnic groups, there is a common style and a shared similarities between them:

- Built on stilts

- Has the stairs

- Room Divided

- Vernacular roof

- Decorated with ornaments

Panggung

Most Malay houses built as Rumah Panggung. The main feature of thecommon 'village' house is Malay customs stilts or piles. This is to avoid wild animals and flooding, to deter thieves, and for added ventilation. In Sumatra, the traditional houses designed to prevent dangerous wild animals, such as snakes and tigers. While in the area, which is close to the major rivers of Sumatra and Borneo, poles help to house high above the flood level. In parts of Sabah, the number of buffalo dowry can also depend on the number of poles are on the bride's family home.

Tangga (Stair)

Malay traditional houses need a ladder to reach high into the interior. Usually the house is connected to the ground from the porch (the porch or verandah). Additional steps may be found in the backyard. Stairs can be made of wood or brick structure covered with tile. For example, in Melaka and Riau stairs constantly shaped as colorful tiled decoration.

Bilik (Room)

The interior is divided to create such a portico (porch), living room, and bedroom. A traditional Malay wooden house are usually seperated in two parts: the main house, known as Rumah Ibu in honor of mothers, and home kitchen or kitchen annex, which was separated from the main house for fire protection. Rumah Ibu named after spacings between poles is said to usually follow a wide-spread arms of his wife and mother in the family home when being built. At least one raised veranda (porch) attached to the house to work or relax sit, or where regular visitors will not be entertained, thus preserving the privacy of the interior.

Bumbung (Roof)

Traditional Malay house roof is designed to provide shade and protection from the heat and rain, and also to provide ventilation. The basic design is the roof of the house Malay bumbung bertebar layar, the long with decorations on the edge of the roof. Malay vernacular roof is most suitable for the tropical climate that is hot and humid all year round. Bumbung bertebar layar examples can be found in the design of homes Lipat Kajang. However, pitched pyramid style roof can also be found in homes such as Palembang Rumah Limas.

In Riau and Jambi there are several different styles, especially the design of the roof. Lancang house or home Lontik was curved like a boat with a roof structure on stilts. The design is somehow similar to Minang Rumah Gadang. Lipat Kajang house has a flat roof structure with cross edge to form an "x" in the corner of the roof peak. Larger structure with a roof across the same corner called Rumah Limas. This type of roof and the structure of the palace is often used in the Malay rulers and government buildings. Limas house is also known as the traditional home of South Sumatra and West Java language, even if they have the same "Limas house" name, has a slightly different design. Modern buildings of government and the public often based on Malays design style roof, such as government buildings in Riau and Jambi, as well as the design of the roof of the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur.

Hiasan (Decoration)

Each of the Malay region, country or sub-regional or ethnic group has its own style of home with the details of the options. However, most homes typical Malay décor roof, which crosses the edge of the roof structure to form an "x" as decoration on the roof top. This type of decoration can be found in Lontik, Limas style and Lipat Kajang. On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, many houses have gable end roof distinctive carving board similar to those in Thailand and Cambodia.